Around the grounds

Published:06:06Thursday 11 September 2014

Forfar Athletic took the bragging rights over local rivals Brechin City in mid-week as they ran out 2-1 winners over Ray McKinnon’s side in the first round of the Forfarshire Cup at Station Park, writes Scott Binnie.

Stephen Husband put the Loons in front after 21 minutes in front of 293 fans at Station Park following a frenzied start to the game, with both sides going very close to scoring in the opening exchanges.

Craig Smith made it two shortly before the break before Brechin fought back in the second half.

City were pressing hard for a way back into the game but they didn’t get on the scoresheet until the 87th minute when Jamie McCormack managed to fire past Ross Salmon.

But Forfar survived the late onslaught and progressed into the next round of the regional cup, with Dundee, Montrose, Arbroath and St Johnstone yet to play their first round games and Dundee United already through to the semi-finals thanks to a bye.

It’s back to normal this weekend and League Two leaders Arbroath will look to continue their perfect start to the season at home to stuttering East Fife on Saturday.

Relegated East Fife are currently seventh on three points from four games while the Red Lichties sit atop the fourth tier on 12 points.

Arbroath recently confirmed that Chris Scott has left the club by mutual consent, signing with Lochee United.

Montrose will welcome Darren Young’s Albion Rovers to Links Park as the Gable Endies look to bounce back from their 3-1 derby defeat at Gayfield Park last weekend.

Forfar Athletic are at home to Peterhead on Saturday and the momentum will be with the Loons after they toppled the league’s full time clubs, Dunfermline and Morton, in their League One home games so far this season. Both sides have serious playoff aspirations and with Forfar third and Peterhead sixth, it’s sure to be a lively game.

Brechin City will travel to Forthbank to face promoted outfit Stirling Albion who are in impressive form so far this campaign. Greig McDonald’s Binos are much changed from the team that beat East Fife so convincingly in last season’s promotion playoffs and will offer a very stern test for City.